Key facts
- Italian PM Giorgia Meloni accused U.S. President Donald Trump of fabricating a story about her begging for a photo at the G7 summit.
- Meloni called Trump's statements 'completely made up' and expressed astonishment.
- Meloni criticized Trump's approach to allies compared to enemies of the West.
- Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled a planned U.S. visit.
- A close Meloni ally stated Trump is damaging U.S.-Europe relations.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly refuted claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump that she "begged" him for a photograph during the recent G7 summit in France. Meloni, in a social media video, expressed her "shock" at what she described as Trump's "completely made-up claims," questioning why the U.S. president would behave in such a manner towards allies.
Trump, speaking to Italian journalist Daniele Compatangelo for La7 TV channel, had reportedly stated that Meloni "begged" him for a picture and that he only agreed because he "felt sorry for her." The report noted that La7 presented a dubbed version of the interview, not the original audio.